LEGAL WATCH : This Is Pro-Family?

The Senate probably will vote today or Friday on a bill that not only mocks Congress’ claim that it supports the American family but would deny many people the time-honored right of client-attorney confidentiality. The legislation--and a companion measure scheduled for a floor vote in the House next week--would gut the longstanding federal program that offers legal services to the poor.

For two decades the Legal Services Corp. has helped poor people with urgent and basic civil matters such as housing, family and consumer problems, the preparation of wills and obtaining property. The corporation has funded more than 900 community-controlled legal services providers, who handle 1.7 million cases involving 5 million clients annually. Many in Congress wish to eliminate this program as yet one more undeserved entitlement.

After eviscerating the Legal Services Corp., the bills before Congress would give a fraction of what the federal government now spends to the states--which might or might not contract with lawyers to assist the poor. It is outrageous that under this legislation those lawyers could be compelled to divulge information that their clients wanted to remain secret.

Curiously, these mean-spirited bills would bar the use of any federal funds to assist families in adoptions, foster care, paternity matters, housing or job discrimination, will preparation or wage claims. Is there any conceivable way these cuts can square with a so-called “pro-family” Congress?